Valdosta recieves funding for Carter Project

September 4, 2002

Valdosta - The dream of owning her own home will soon be a reality for Teresa Enyart and many other Valdosta families, thanks to the Jimmy Carter Work Project and a 1.6 million dollar grant from the Department of Community Affairs.

"This means so much," said Enyart. "It means that I will have a home of my own and somewhere for my family for the rest of our lives."

The funding will be divided into two areas - an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $300,000 Community Home Investment Grant. Another $500,000 will be used for mortgage buy back assistance.

City officials say this funding will be a great benefit not only to future home owners like Teresa, but also to the entire city of Valdosta.

"People are going to come here from all over the country," said Mara Register, Director of Valdosta's Community Development. "They'll use our hotels and eating establishments, so it will have a huge economic impact for the community."

But the most important benefit will be lending a helping hand to families like Teresa's, and helping eliminate substandard housing in Valdosta.